Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules that can have unique properties depending on the types of molecules bonded together and how they are bonded. There are two types of polymers: natural polymers like DNA, silk and rubber that occur naturally, and synthetic polymers like nylon, polyethylene and polyester that are created by scientists. Synthetic polymers can be manipulated by changing monomers or adding additives to achieve different physical, mechanical and chemical properties for various applications. The first synthetic polymer was created in 1869 as a substitute for ivory.
Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules that can have unique properties depending on the types of molecules bonded together and how they are bonded. There are two types of polymers: natural polymers like DNA, silk and rubber that occur naturally, and synthetic polymers like nylon, polyethylene and polyester that are created by scientists. Synthetic polymers can be manipulated by changing monomers or adding additives to achieve different physical, mechanical and chemical properties for various applications. The first synthetic polymer was created in 1869 as a substitute for ivory.
Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules that can have unique properties depending on the types of molecules bonded together and how they are bonded. There are two types of polymers: natural polymers like DNA, silk and rubber that occur naturally, and synthetic polymers like nylon, polyethylene and polyester that are created by scientists. Synthetic polymers can be manipulated by changing monomers or adding additives to achieve different physical, mechanical and chemical properties for various applications. The first synthetic polymer was created in 1869 as a substitute for ivory.
Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules that can have unique properties depending on the types of molecules bonded together and how they are bonded. There are two types of polymers: natural polymers like DNA, silk and rubber that occur naturally, and synthetic polymers like nylon, polyethylene and polyester that are created by scientists. Synthetic polymers can be manipulated by changing monomers or adding additives to achieve different physical, mechanical and chemical properties for various applications. The first synthetic polymer was created in 1869 as a substitute for ivory.
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Polymers
?What is a Polymer Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules. The materials have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being bonded and how they are bonded. Some polymers bend and stretch, like rubber and polyester. Others are hard and tough, like epoxies and glass. Polymers touch almost every aspect of modern life. Chances are most people have been in contact with at least one polymer- containing product — from water bottles to gadgets to tires — in the last five minutes. The term polymer is often used to describe plastics, which are synthetic polymers. However, natural polymers also exist; rubber and wood, for example, are natural polymers that consist of a simple hydrocarbon, isoprene. Proteins are natural polymers made up of amino acids, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides — complex molecules composed of nitrogen-containing bases, sugars and phosphoric acid, for example
Types of polymers There are two types of polymers: Natural polymers and synthetic polymers. Natural polymers can be found in nature without human intervention. Examples of natural polymers include: silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins.
Synthetic polymers are polymers made in labs by scientists and
engineers. Examples of synthetic polymers include: nylon(commonly used as a substitute for silk) , polyethylene(it's the most common plastic in the world), polyester(commonly used in clothing, Teflon(polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly used in non-stick cookware due to it's hydrophobic properties)
Manipulating the properties of synthetic polymers
different monomers can be mixed in various proportions resulting in a wide range of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. The monomers can be produced pure and the addition of impurities or .additives can be controlled by design to give optimal properties
One of the earliest techniques used by scientist in the early to middle
20th century (after the discovery of polymers) to try and bring out new and different properties was to change the substituents on the ethylene monomer
this method is still in use to this day
.A brief history on the first synthetic polymer The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who was inspired by a New York firm’s offer of $10,000 for anyone who could provide a substitute for ivory. The growing popularity of billiards had put a strain on the supply of natural ivory, obtained through the slaughter of wild elephants. By treating cellulose, derived from cotton fiber, with camphor, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory.
This discovery was revolutionary. For the first time human
manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature. Nature only supplied so much wood, metal, stone, bone, tusk, and horn. But now humans could create new materials. This development helped not only people but also the environment. Advertisements praised celluloid as the savior of the elephant and the tortoise. Plastics could protect the natural world from the destructive forces of human need.
The creation of new materials also helped free people from the social and economic constraints imposed by the scarcity of natural resources. Inexpensive celluloid made material wealth more widespread and obtainable. And the plastics revolution was only getting started.
